Celebrate Great Teaching

 Do you know a 7th-12th grade teacher who has done an exemplary job teaching Montana history during the 2021-2022 school year? If so, consider nominating him or her for the 33rd Montana Statehood Centennial Bell Award. Deadline for nominations is March 31, 2022. 

It's easy to nominate someone. Simply send the following information to Norma Ashby Smith, Award Coordinator, at ashby7@charter.net:

• Your name, school, address, phone number and email.
• The teacher you are nominating’s name, grade, school, address, phone number and email.

That's it! Deadline for nominations is March 31, 2022. 

Nominated teachers will be asked to submit two letters of support (one from their principal, superintendent, fellow teacher or librarian and from a student), and one page detailing why they enjoy teaching Montana history, including how they adapted teaching Montana history due to the covid-19 lockdowns, how they engage their students in learning, how their Montana history course recognizes cultural diversity and anything else they’d like to share about their class or methods. 

Nominees will receive instructions on how to submit this material. Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2022. 

The winner and his or her class will be honored at a ceremony in the State Capitol on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.  The winner will receive a plaque and a $4,500 cash prize toward classroom materials, field trips, speakers and anything else that will enhance learning in their classroom.  

This program is sponsored by the Montana Television Network, the Montana History Foundation, and the Sons & Daughters of Montana Pioneers in cooperation with the Montana Historical Society and the 1889 Coffee House in Helena. Additional gifts of $100 in gold Sacajawea dollars are given to the student who writes the letter of support for the winning teacher from Judy Wohlfrom of Woodland, Ca., and one gold Sacajawea dollar for each of the students who accompanies the winning teacher to the Nov. 9 ceremony from Mike Collins, President of the Sons & Daughters of Montana Pioneers and his wife Connie of Helena. 

Contact Norma Ashby Smith of Great Falls, Montana, Award Coordinator, with any questions about the award or the nomination process at 406-453-7078 or at ashby7@charter.net.